Hunting for blessings in the month of Sha'ban

Hunting for blessings in the month of Sha'ban

Entering the month of Shaban becomes a moment of mental preparation before fasting. Many priorities in the 8th month in this Hijri calendar. The Prophet, peace be upon him, gave some examples of worship to honor this glorious month.

There is a hadith narrated by Aisha. "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah complete his fast for a whole month except in the month of Ramadan. And I have never seen him do much fasting outside of Ramadan except in the month of Sha'ban." (HR Muttafaq 'alaih). This hadith explains that in the month of the Prophet saw. multiply to do sunnah fasting.

What exactly should be done in the month of Sha'ban. It turned out that the Messenger of Allah exemplifies many practices. One of them is to multiply sunnah fasting, alms and reading the Koran.

It was narrated from Usamah bin Zaid radhiyallahu 'anhuma, he said: "I said: "O Messenger of Allah, I have never seen you fasting in a month from the existing months like your fasting in the month of Sha'ban." He said: "That is the month that people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan. And it is a month in which deeds are raised to rabbul 'alamin. And I love that my charity is lifted, while I am in a state of fasting." (HR. Nasa'i). Sheikh Nawawi Banten in  Nihayatuz Zain  explains that the twelfth sunnah fast is the Sha'ban fast. Because Prophet Muhammad SAW really likes to fast during that month. Whoever fasts in the month of Sha'ban, he will obtain intercession in the next day.

In Islamic history, the naming of Sha'ban is associated with the Arabs at that time, many scattered to look for springs so that they were scattered and scattered. This implies that looking for water in the desert is a symbol of a desperate struggle to survive. Some interpret Shakban is that in that month, many branches of goodness radiate (yatasya'abu minhu khairun katsir).

If from another opinion, Sya'ban itself comes from the word Shi'ib which means a road in a mountain or it can be interpreted as a path of goodness. Besides that, it is a struggle for a better future. In the context of worship, Sha'ban can be said as a month of strengthening faith. Because in this month a Muslim is required to always prepare mentally and spiritually to welcome the coming of the glorious month of Ramadan. According to Imam Ibn Mandzur in Lisanul Arob, the meaning of the word Sha'ban is from the lafadz 'Sya'aba' or means 'dhoharo' (appears) between the two noble months, namely Rajab and Ramadan.

In the month of Sha'ban there is a historical event that cannot be forgotten by Muslims, namely the movement of the Qibla from the Aqsa Mosque to the Grand Mosque. The story is when the Prophet Muhammad saw. looking forward to this event with very high hopes. Every day he does not forget to pray until Allah SWT grants his waiting. Then the verse came down, " We (often) see your face looking up at the sky, then We will indeed turn you to the Qibla that you like. Turn your face towards the Grand Mosque. And wherever you are, turn your face towards it ." (Surat al-Baqarah; 144)

In this month, there is also a verse about the recommendation to read sholawat. Allah said, "Indeed Allah and His angels bless the Prophet. O you who believe, pray for the Prophet and greet him." (QS. Al Ahzab; 56). One of the special features of the month of Sha'ban is the lifting of human deeds in this month to the sky. There is a hadith narrated by An Nasai which says that "This is the month in which the deeds of human beings are raised to the Lord of the universe."